80s Fashion For Men

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80s Fashion for Men (How to Get the 1980’s Style)

The ’80s were undoubtedly an interesting time for fashion. Filled with bold designs and bright colors, the decade saw gents fully embrace trends and proudly showcase their style. Of course, over time these brave looks slowly disappeared to make way for the minimalistic ’90s and ’00s. But, they’re now making an incredible return. From bum bags and chunky sneakers to dad jeans and windbreakers, the best of the 1980s is back and better than ever. Here’s how to rock ’80s fashion for men in modern times.

What Was the Fashion in the 80s?

The ’80s were a time of excess and maximalism for both men and women. As such, the decade featured bold styles, bright colors and eye-catching silhouettes. The ’80s also saw a variety of fashion-forward trends, including hip-hop, preppy, workout, rock, and punk styles.

80s Fashion Trends

80s Casual Fashion

Casual fashion in the ’80s saw gents don dad jeans in full force, often with a matching denim jacket. T-shirts and loose shirts were also popular during the time while bomber jackets, leather jackets, windbreakers, and sweaters acted as the outerwear of choice. When it came to footwear, white sneakers were the ultimate casual shoe that was perfect for a range of looks.

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80s Men’s Hip Hop Fashion

Hip-hop was another popular fashion trend in the ’80s. Inspired and influenced by music stars and rappers, such as the members of Run-D.M.C, Beastie Boys, and N.W.A, the style was well known for its oversized silhouettes. Along with baggy clothes, hip-hop fashion also featured sportswear details, like sneakers and athletic caps, and statement accessories, like chunky gold chains.

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80s Preppy Fashion

Preppy fashion also played an essential role in the ’80s. Unlike hip-hop trends, which typically featured dark colors, preppy outfits boasted bright hues, including shades of pink, yellow, and blue. Key items for preppy fashion included sweaters, which gents would often wear around their shoulders, as well as slacks and polo shirts.

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80s Workout Fashion

Athleisure may be popular today, but workout wear has long been a favorite look for men. In the ’80s, workout fashion was massive, and it saw a range of sportswear styles being adopted as everyday wear, including chunky sneakers, sweatpants, tracksuits, windbreakers, and athletic shorts.

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80s Summer Fashion

Summer fashion in the ’80s was iconic. It featured bright colors, abstract prints, short-sleeved shirts, and short shorts. Another favorite item from the time was the crop top, which was worn boxy and cut across the stomach.

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80s Rock Fashion

Like everything in the ’80s, rock fashion was about excess. The hair was big, the clothing was wild, and there was plenty of makeup. Of course, as with all rock looks, leather played a vital role. Accessories were also crucial with jewelry and headbands both becoming seriously popular for men.

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80s Punk Fashion for Men

While ’80s rock often took on a glam style, the punk looks of the decade were decidedly edgier. While the trend still saw a lot of leather, it also featured a lot more hardware and eye-catching hairstyles, including brightly colored mohawks and spikes.

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80s Fashion for Men

80s Suits

During the ’80s, suits were worn oversized with broad shoulders. Pinstripe suits were a favorite for those in business, and gents often paired them with a shirt, tie, and suspenders. Pastel-colored suits were on high rotation outside the office and were regularly partnered with crew-neck T-shirts instead of button-ups.

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80s Shirts

During the 1980s, there were two main types of shirts: casual and business. For business, banker shirts and striped shirts were popular. For casual wear, loose shirts featuring colorful, abstract prints were favored. Polo shirts were also a favorite item of the decade.

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80s T-Shirts

During the ’80s T-shirts were worn with everything from jeans to suits. The most popular styles were crew-neck T-shirts, many of which featured slogans, logos, or bold placement prints. Other popular designs included crop tops and baseball T-shirts.

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80s Jeans

While acid wash jeans are yet to make a comeback, ’80s dad jeans are back in fashion. To rock these classic jeans today, just pick up a faded mid-blue style in a relaxed fit. Also, select a cut with a tapered leg or consider pinrolling the bottoms for the same effect.

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80s Jackets

Many jackets that were popular in the ’80s are still fashionable for men today, including denim jackets, leather jackets, and bomber jackets. However, if you’re after a bolder look from the decade, you can’t go past a classic sports windbreaker.

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80s Accessories

Are you looking for a way to subtly introduce the ’80s trend into your modern wardrobe? Consider adding iconic ’80s accessories, such as a sling bag, chunky white sneakers, colorful and reflective sunglasses, and gold chains, to your closet.

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80s Men’s Hair

During the ’80s, the bigger something was, the better it was, especially hair. Throughout the decade, long hairstyles and voluminous styles, including the iconic mullet, were extremely popular. However, men who worked in business often broke from this trend and rocked sleek, slicked-back hairstyles instead.

80s Fashion Icons

Every decade has its fashion icons, including the ’80s. Throughout the 1980s, the most stylish celebs were typically actors or musicians. Some of the most influential names included Johnny Depp, David Bowie, Tom Cruise, and Rob Lowe.

80s Fashion for Boys

’80s fashion for boys was much like it was for men. Many men’s casual styles, such as white sneakers and double denim looks, were also worn by teenagers and children. Likewise, the neon styles that were popular amongst adults were also worn by many boys.

80s Fashion for Men FAQs

What was popular in the 80s?

The most prominent fashion trends of the 80s were filled with bright colors, bold silhouettes, and excess. There wasn’t much that was subtle about this decade of fashion.

What outfits were popular in the 80s?

There were a few key looks in the 80s that defined the era for men’s dressing. Dad jeans and denim were a popular casual style, as were preppy polo shirts, sweaters, and pastel slacks. Add in short shorts, tight tees, and athletic wear to round out the leisurewear trends. Music also influenced many fashion choices. Hip hop’s baggy clothes, gold chains, snapbacks, and sneakers were popular, as was big hair, leather jackets, and hardware from the punk and rock scenes. Slogan shirts paired with denim, bomber, and leather jackets also reigned supreme. When it came to business dressing, wide pin-striped business suits were all the rage, as was striped button-downs. Lastly, accessories like bum bags and bright glasses, as well as hairstyles like the unforgettable mullet, round out the 80s style collection.

What shoes did men wear in the 80s?

White sneakers and hightop were some of the most popular shoes in the 80s. Doc Martins were the shoe of choice in the rock and punk scene, while loafers suited the preppy and office looks.

How do you dress 80s style?

To rock the ’80s trend in modern times, pick which fashion style from the decade you belong to, such as hip-hop, preppy or rock. Invest in key pieces from the time, such as faded jeans, bomber jackets, and slogan tees. When it comes to suits, try a pinstripe style for work and a pastel design for the weekend. Don’t be afraid to wear bright colors and patterns. For a subtle take on the ’80s trend, just add accessories, such as white sneakers and a bum bag, to an otherwise contemporary look.

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80s Fashion For Men

• Chris Dek
• January 3, 2023

Men’s fashion in the ’80s had no limits and how guys dressed during the decade reflected this luxury and excess. Influenced by pop, rock, and hip-hop music, the 1980s was a time of iconic fashion trends that embraced bold designs and over-the-top style, making the ’80s possibly the most distinct era in fashion history. From denim jeans to tracksuits and white sneakers to gold chains, ’80s outfits stood out in a crowd and embraced a gaudy aesthetic. Unique and trendy in the moment, ’80s men’s clothing was all about pushing the boundaries with loud patterns, bright colors, and edgy pieces from designer brands like Ralph Lauren, Prada and Hugo Boss.

While these styles have lost much of their expressive power and glamour, ‘80s fashion has resurfaced and the best trends are making a comeback. For inspiration and outfit ideas, we’ve compiled a guide to ’80s fashion for men. Whether you are researching ’80s styles to find ways to rock a retro look or just researching what to wear to a ’80s theme party, this list of memorable clothes and trends will help you pull off the right vibe.

• 1 What Did Men Wear in the ’80s
• 2 80s Fashion Trends
  • 2.1 ‘80s Casual Fashion
  • 2.2 ‘80s Hip Hop Fashion
  • 2.3 ‘80s Preppy Fashion
  • 2.4 ‘80s Workout Fashion
  • 2.5 ‘80s Summer Fashion
  • 2.6 ‘80s Rock Fashion
  • 2.7 ‘80s Punk Fashion For Men
  • 3.1 ‘80s Suits
  • 3.2 ‘80s Shirts
  • 3.3 ‘80s T-Shirts
  • 3.4 ‘80s Jeans
  • 3.5 ‘80s Jackets
  • 3.6 ’80s Baggy Jumpers
  • 3.7 ’80s Bomber Jackets
  • 3.8 ’80s Tracksuits
  • 3.9 ’80s Double Denim
  • 3.10 ’80s Leather Jackets
  • 3.11 ’80s High Top Sneakers
  • 3.12 ‘80s Accessories

  What Did Men Wear in the ’80s

  It seems like everyone has a feeling about the ’80s. Whether you love the look or think it’s just too much, there’s no denying that ‘80s fashion trends for men and boys were bold, unique, and unlike anything that had come before. While women were rocking side ponytails and bright blue eyeshadow, men were having a moment of their own. Outfits were colorful, outrageous and excessive, in many cases flaunting wealth and success.

  

  The most popular outfits in the ’80s truly defined the era. Men would wear anything from suits with turtlenecks, black dress shoes and slicked back hair to ripped jeans with biker jackets, boots, and longer flowing hairstyles. Your profession, interests and lifestyle strongly influenced your attire.

  

  Dad jeans, denim jackets, polo shirts, oversized sweaters, short shorts, tight t-shirts and slogan shirts were common across the board. Guys in the rock and punk scene would wear Doc Martens and Converse sneakers, while business professionals dressed in loafers and the cool kids favored white sneakers and high tops.

  

  As brands and designers begin to bring back the aesthetic of the 80s, guys may want to consider shopping for these cool retro pieces. If you’re ready to embrace the style, let’s explore the most iconic 1980s men’s fashion trends and outfits to know about.

  80s Fashion Trends

  ‘80s Casual Fashion

  Recreating ‘80s casual fashion is pretty easy since it emphasizes comfort-cool styles that you can mix-and-match from what’s on the rack today. For starters, ’80s dad fashion was popular and epitomized the casual style of the era. A typical dad outfit consisted of loose jeans with a denim jacket to match and a t-shirt on top. Bold statement outerwear like brightly-colored sweaters, bomber jackets, or color block windbreakers will help you achieve maximum ‘80s casual. To finish the look, you’ll want to wear white sneakers as the perfect casual shoe. For a more smart or business casual aesthetic, some men even wore brown or black loafers with khaki pants or slacks.

  

  ‘80s Hip Hop Fashion

  A lot of 1980s fashion was borne out of the hip hop music and culture of the time. Influenced by popular groups and artists such as Run-DMC, NWA, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and LL Cool J, the looks often included baggy pants and elements of sportswear that would lead to modern-day street styles. These types of clothing also served the purpose of being easier to dance and move in, which led to the success of staple pieces like hammer pants, popularized by MC Hammer.

  

  ‘80s Preppy Fashion

  Surprisingly, there was a certain amount of crossover between hip hop fashion and preppy fashion in the ‘80s. Although they differed in some key ways, hip hop fashion used elements of prep – particularly from brands like Tommy Hilfiger and their ubiquitous Polo look – to capture that aspirational and exclusive feel. However, the 1980s preppy trend largely emphasized lighter and brighter colors than hip hop. Achieving the look today is easy with pink, yellow, or navy polo shirts, a pair of slacks or khakis, and a sweater as an accessory, rather than use.

  

  ‘80s Workout Fashion

  Modern fans of athleisure wear have the 1980s to thank for yoga pants and casual tank tops. Due to the increasing popularity of gym culture at the time, athletic brands were developed and expanded, leading to men’s basic sweatpants, tracksuits, and trainers. The style is as comfy and cool today as it was when it first hit the Sears catalog.

  

  ‘80s Summer Fashion

  While ‘80s summer fashion for men took a lot of its cues from preppy styles, with bright colors for shirts and pants, you could also expect to find short shorts and crop tops that would keep you feeling and looking cool on the hottest summer days. Iconic and stylish, these summer styles are still in play in modern menswear.

  

  ‘80s Rock Fashion

  The ‘80s rock fashion took accessories, hair, and attitude to the next level. Big hairstyles were a key element of the rock fashion look, but the style also included leather jackets, boots, headbands, faded and ripped jeans, and lots of silver studs.

  

  ‘80s Punk Fashion For Men

  While you can purchase a lot of punk accessories in mainstream stores today, punk was initially an anti-establishment, anti-capitalist movement and the fashion reflected that. Clothes were DIY with safety pins, spikes, and chains. Although hairstyles like dyed mohawks and pixie cuts were bold and impossible to miss, these haircut styles were part of the punk ideology that countered the mainstream and fought against consumer culture.

  

  80s Outfits For Men

  ‘80s Suits

  The 1980s were known for their shoulder pads, and there’s no place where the broad-shouldered, geometric look is more apparent than in the men’s suit. Nothing in this decade was subtle, so these suits were often pin-striped or patterned and bold in color. They could be paired with anything from tees to suspenders for an office or going-out look.

  

  ‘80s Shirts

  The 1980s were all about the bold, brightly colored abstract patterns. Whether you were dressing for work or heading out on the town, men’s shirts in the ‘80s made a statement. To match the suits, you could find professional wear in pinstripes or other patterns, and polo shirts were also a wardrobe staple.

  

  ‘80s T-Shirts

  Branded logo t-shirts were in vogue during this era, and companies like Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gucci were famous for capitalizing on this trend. Further, t-shirts came with brand names, slogans, prints, or sports team names. In addition to the classic t-shirt shape, crop tops with logos were popular in men’s fashion, as well as multi-colored baseball tees. Lastly, band tees were common since several new music genres popped up.

  

  ‘80s Jeans

  You just can’t talk ‘80s men’s fashion without talking dad jeans. Traditionally, they came in a very light acid-wash, and the style was high on the waist and either tapered or rolled at the ankle. This was to ensure your shoes (often high-tops) were prominently displayed.

  

  ‘80s Jackets

  There’s a 1980s jacket style for every man. If you like leather jackets, denim jackets, or bomber jackets, you’re in luck. But the main star of the decade, when it came to outerwear, was the windbreaker. Breakers came in bright, block colors and abstract patterns, and these pants were made of a type of parachute material that really did look great in neon.

  

  ’80s Baggy Jumpers

  While the chunky sweater is back in style, the 1980s started the baggy jumper trend for men and women alike. These oversized, loose sweaters were adorned with bright, contrasting colors and patterns, and often had unique designs that stood out. Ideally paired with jeans, chinos or joggers, guys can style a baggy sweater in a modern outfit for a cool throwback look.

  

  ’80s Bomber Jackets

  Bomber jackets have been cool since they were first invented in World War I, and although they’ve undergone many changes, this type of jacket has never gone out of style. Some guys go for a truly classic bomber jacket look, which is based on military fashion, while others prefer a preppy and more slim-fitting cut. There were even unique bomber jackets with floral patterns, animal prints, and sequined styles.

  

  ’80s Tracksuits

  The tracksuit has come a long way since it became a true fashion trend, but there’s something to be said about the colorful, comfortable, and unique look of ‘80s men’s tracksuits. Similar to windbreakers, they came in a parachute material and were often neon, with bright block contrasts.

  

  ’80s Double Denim

  Also known as denim on denim, double denim was a popular men’s style in the ‘80s. All the most famous Hollywood stars were rocking denim jeans with a denim jacket. The best way to wear double denim is to match dark jeans with a light denim top, but guys can pull off any combination of denim with the right pieces.

  

  ’80s Leather Jackets

  The leather jacket was the uniform of the bad boy in the 1980s, and it’s not hard to see why. While they’re much more mainstream now, the cool factor of leather jackets was derived from their use in motorcycle clubs, punk scenes, and heavy metal bands. Leather jackets never have and never will go out of style.

  

  ’80s High Top Sneakers

  High top sneakers weren’t just a milestone in fashion. Thanks to Air Jordan sneakers, high tops changed the entire infrastructure of sports merchandising and celebrity endorsements. In both fashion and function, modern sneakers owe it all to the Air Jordans of the ‘80s. Naturally, you can’t talk shoes of the decade without mentioning the popularity of Converses, which were retro-cool even back then and continue to be in-style today.

  

  ‘80s Accessories

  Having a few classic accessories in your closet can help you get a retro vibe with every outfit. Every piece can make a statement, so consider accessories like bulky white sneakers, reflective sunglasses, gold chains, fanny packs, Casio watches, flashy belt buckles, and blinged-out rings.

  

  ‘80s Men’s Hair

  From slicked back hair to big styles to long locks, ‘80s hairstyles for men were in a class all of their own. One of the most iconic looks was the mullet, with short hair in the front and sides and long hair in the back. With so many different cuts and styles for different guys, there were several popular ways to wear men’s hair. Business professional men, especially those who worked on Wall Street, styled the slicked back, while Hollywood stars loved longer hair with volume and flow. Curly hair became a trend as well, so guys would get perms on short hair and maintain tight coils all around the head.

  

  ‘80s Fashion Icons

  Music and movies heavily influenced 1980s fashion, and whether you were into coming-of-age movies or punk rock, you could find style icons to match your look. Rob Lowe was all about the boy-next-door cute, whereas the bomber jacket’s popularity can be traced back to Tom Cruise in Top Gun. David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, and John Travolta all had their own looks, to name a few.

  

  ‘80s Fashion For Boys

  Kid couture wasn’t much different from fashion for men in the 1980s, with an emphasis on bold colors, comfortable, loose-fitting shirts and pants, and chunky sneakers. For the most part, boys’ fashion was more preppy and casual than punk, rock, or hip hop. Simply put, the clothes boys wore emulated the style of their fathers and/or brothers.

  

  Shopping For ’80s Style Men’s Clothing

  Whether you want to add a few choice accessories or go full parachute pants and bomber jacket, there are many you can get the ‘80s style. When deciding on your look, it’s important to consider the color, pattern, and fabric of individual pieces. Think about which culture, movement, or trend you’re trying to represent, and experiment with different outfit ideas to find the right mix. Several staples of ‘80s fashion are lasting, like leather jackets and bomber jackets, so consider investing in quality pieces you’ll want to keep in your wardrobe for years to come.

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